GENEVA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The 59th World Health Assembly (WHA) announced after its opening on Monday that a Taiwan-related proposal will not be included on the conference's provisional agenda.

    Paulo Garrido, president of the Assembly and health minister of Mozambique, made the announcement following a recommendation of the Assembly's 25-member General Committee and speeches made by some member countries during the plenary session.

    The proposal, tabled by a small number of countries, requested the WHA, the annual conference of the 192-member World Health Organization (WHO), to invite Taiwan as an observer.

    This is the 10th time in as many years that a Taiwan-related proposal has been rejected.

    Addressing Monday's conference, Chinese Minister of Health Gao Qiang reiterated that Taiwan, as a province of China, is not eligible to become a WHA observer, as this status can only be given to sovereign states.

    "A small number of countries are tabling the proposal to invite the Taiwan authorities to attend as an observer of the WHA with the pretense of caring for the Taiwan people's health," Gao said.

    "But the essence of this issue is not health, but politics, seeking 'international space' for the secessionist activities of the Taiwan authorities aimed at 'Taiwan independence'," he stressed.

    He added that it is legal, justified and reasonable for the WHA to reject such a proposal.

    The minister stressed, however, that China has always done its utmost to care the health interests of the Taiwan compatriots.

    "We regard caring the health of the Taiwan compatriots as our incumbent responsibility, and we are determined to do, and do well, all the things that will benefit the health and well-being of the people in Taiwan," he said.

    He noted that China would also continue its support for health experts from Taiwan to participate in the WHO's technical activities, and help the Taiwan region receive timely and accurate international information and technical assistance on health. Enditem